Emblems of rarities: or Choyce observations out of worthy histories of many remarkable passages, and renowned actions of divers princes and severall nations With exquisite variety, and speciall collections of the natures of most sorts of creatures: delightfull and profitable to the minde. Collected by D.L.

The eight times that Rome hath beene taken.

ROme was first taken by the Gaules, under the conduct of their Captaine Brennus, the yeare of the Foundation of the Citty about 365, and the yeare of the world 4835, and the yeare before Christ 364. This Brennus is by the Britaine and English Chronicles reported to bee a Britain, and brother to Belinus, King of Britain; but neither the Chronicles of Rome, nor of Gaul, doe speake of any such matter.

Rome was secondly taken by Alaricke, King of Gothes, after hee had held his siege to it the

space of two yeares, which be∣fell the yeare of the Foundation of the Citty 1164, the yeare of our Lord 412, and the 25 yeare of the Empire of Honorius. It is written in the Chronicles of Constantinople, and in other pla∣ces, that as Alaricke (being a Christian) marched with his Host towards Rome, a certaine Monke, of holy life and great authority, came unto him, who having audience, admonished and counsailed him to breake off that evill purpose, and to re∣member that he was a Christi∣an, and that for Gods sake hee would moderate his wrath, and that he should not take pleasure in the shedding of Christian blood, sith that Rome had not in any respect offended him: Unto whom Alaricke an∣swered, Thou must understand

man of God, that it proceedeth not of mine owne will, that I go against Rome: but contrarily I assure thee, that every day there commeth unto me a man, which constraineth and importuneth me thereunto, saying unto mee, Hasten thee, goe against Rome, destroy it utterly, and make it desolate. At which words the religious man being astonished, durst not reply, and so the King followed his enterprise.

Rome was thirdly taken by Gensericke, King of Vandales, the yeare of the Foundation of the Citty 1208, the yeare of Christ 456, who sacked and burned in it many places, which befell in the Empire of Marcian.

Rome was fourthly taken by Totila King of Gothes, who because hee could not obtaine peace of the Emperour 〈◊〉〈◊〉,

commanded the Citti∣zens to avoyde the Citty, and afterwards burned, sacked, and destroyed almost all the Citty, Walls, and the Capitoll, and made it altogether desolate, in so much, that never since it could be repayred according to the first forme, although a while after, Bellisarius peopled and repaired a great part thereof▪ and calling againe the old inha∣bitants, fortified and strength∣ned much the Walls. This deso∣lation happened the yeare after the foundation the Citty 1300•• after Christ 548, and the 21 yeare of the Empire of Iustinian.

Rome was fiftly taken by the same Totila King of Gothes; after that Bellisarius had repeo∣pled and repaired it.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 Rome was ••ixtly taken by 〈…〉〈…〉 and Saracens, fol∣lowers

of Mahomet his Law, which in great multitude came into Italy, and in the yeare of our Lord 333, fitting in Rome, Gregory the fourth, and gover∣ning the Empire Lewes the first, besieged, tooke, and sacked Rome, prophaning the temple of Saint Peter: which done, they returned to their ships, charged with prey and prisoners.

Rome was seventhly taken by Henry the fourth of that name, Emperour of Germany, sitting in Rome Gregory the seventh: this time Rome was most cruelly de∣stroyed, by reason that both the armies of the Pope and the Em∣perour skirmished, and fought long within, the Citty, and the Capitoll, which had beene be∣fore destroyed, was now again repaired, which befell the yeare of our Lord 1082: Authors

write, that Rome was never so much endamaged at any time, as at this, by reason of the lamen∣table destruction that was done by the Normans on the Popes side, and Germans for the Em∣perour.

Rome was last taken by Char••s the last Duke of Bourbon: who being slaine as hee scaled the walls at the first assault, and by that chance the Souldiers being in liberty, and without a Head, pittifully destroyed the Citty, and committed all kinde of e∣normities, and barbarous cruel∣ties, saving that they burned not the Churches, although they spoyled and robbed them to the uttermost: For a great part of the army were Germans, and most of the Germans Luthe∣ran. This adversity happened ••o Rome the yeare of our Savi∣our

1527, sitting at Rome Cle∣ment the Seventh, and gover∣ning the Empire Charles the Fift.